Tuesday, August 19, 2008

So, as some of you know, my mom was raised in a Catholic orphanage in Pittsburgh from the age of 11. Her mom died, so her dad dropped her and her 4 siblings at the nearest Inconvenient Offspring Receptacle. Here is mom upon "graduation" from said institution.One of the unfortunate consequenses of this situation is that my mom, for various reasons, lost track of her siblings after their years in the orphanage. I didn't even know all their names, because she so rarely spoke of the whole thing.On a whim some years ago, I posted a message on an orphans' message board, giving all the info I knew, hoping that some day, a cousin would come across my message and get in touch with me.Well, guess what?!? Today was that day. I got an email out of the blue from my cousin John, son of my Uncle Jack! Uncle Jack was my mom's favorite! John and I have been going back and forth all day with tidbits of info (neither of us has much -- Uncle Jack abandonded HIS family when John was only 5) and photos. Here is Uncle Jack during WWII! WOW is all I can say.And THANKS, JOHN!!!

I am speechless. I can see the mom I met in this photo, and I am so glad you've located a cousin. He must have the same feelings about this story as you, or he wouldn't have been on the long-lost relatives site. That is really terrific. The whole story has always made such an impression on me. I am happy to see glimmers of resolution. I'm sure you are, too. And how does The Boy compare to the photo? Face shape?XOXO